title: Prevalence of celiac disease in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Celiac disease (CD) is a common systemic disease related to a permanent intolerance to gluten and is often associated with different autoimmune and neurological diseases. Its mean prevalence in the general population is 1-2% worldwide. Our aim was to study the prevalence of celiac disease in a prospective series of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients and their first-degree relatives.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed the prevalence of serological, histological and genetic CD markers in a series of 72 MS patients and in their 126 first-degree relatives, compared to 123 healthy controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tissue IgA-anti-transglutaminase-2 antibodies were positive in 7 MS patients (10%), compared to 3 healthy controls (2.4%) (p < 0.05). OR: 5.33 (CI-95%: 1.074-26.425). No differences were found in HLA-DQ2 markers between MS patients (29%) and controls (26%) (NS).We detected mild or moderate villous atrophy (Marsh III type) in duodenal biopsies, in 8 MS patients (11.1%). We also found a high proportion of CD among first-degree relatives: 23/126 (32%). Several associated diseases were detected, mainly dermatitis 41 (57%) and iron deficiency anemia in 28 (39%) MS patients. We also found in them, an increased frequency of circulating auto-antibodies such as anti-TPO in 19 (26%), ANA in 11 (15%) and AMA in 2 (3%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have found an increased prevalence of CD in 8 of the 72 MS patients (11.1%) and also in their first-degree relatives (23/126 [32%]). Therefore, increased efforts aimed at the early detection and dietary treatment of CD, among antibody-positive MS patients, are advisable.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, 33006 Oviedo, Spain. lrodrigosaez@gmail.com
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rodrigo
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hernández-Lahoz
authors.forename: Dolores
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fuentes
authors.forename: Noemí
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: López-Vázquez
authors.forename: Segundo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: González
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D015415:Biomarkers; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens